This blog analyzes public policy issues of concern to progressive Christians such as climate change, labor, health, LGBT issues, economics and public and personal finance.

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Anglicans: Email the Archbishop of Canterbury and ask him to condemn Akinola

Hs press secretary's email: jonathan.jennings@lambethpalace.org.uk

My email:You may be aware that Nigeria's Senate is voting this Thursday on thepassage of laws that would make it illegal to advocate on behalf oflesbians and gays in Nigeria. These laws have been under debate forsome time. They would impose a penalty of five years in prison for anysort of public advocacy on behalf of gays and lesbians, or evenperforming a same-sex wedding in a church. All Christians shouldconsider such laws to be a massive violation of human rights, andagainst the will of God.

Unfortunately, the Archbishop of Nigeria, Peter Akinola, has been avocal supporter of these laws. And as far as I am aware, no one in theAnglican Communion has publicly opposed him. You have not confrontedhim over his support of these laws, and I am astounded at yoursilence.

The murdered Roman Catholic Archbishop of San Salvador, Oscar Romero,asked this of then-US President Jimmy Carter: "You say that you areChristian. If you are really Christian, please stop sending militaryaid to the military here, because they use it only to kill my people."

If we Anglicans really are Christians, we should immediately ask thatArchbishop Akinola withdraw his support for these laws.

Hmm ... same sex marriages is not actually the point of my letter. The point is that most people recognize that the Nigerian legislation, with its penalties, is a violation of human rights.

The Bible doesn't speak literally of human rights as we understand them. But, God in the OT tells the Israelites, thou shalt not kill. Treat the alien well, for you were aliens in Egypt. (These two seem like a good idea for everyone, not just the Israelites). Jesus tells us, treat your neighbor as you would yourself. Instead of an eye for an eye, turn the other cheek.

From these, it's reasonable to infer that God would oppose the legislation. If you're a literalist, then of course you would find it justifiable. But Biblical literalism isn't something that Anglicans traditionally do, and it is something that no Christian should do.

As for the theology surrounding same-sex relationships and marriage, I would normally recommend you visit and peruse Michael Westmoreland-White's blog. He's actually Baptist. His site is anabaptist418.blogspot.com ... but right now, someone seems to have hacked it, and it displays links to porn sites. Fortunately for you, it's heterosexual porn.

Leviticus 20:13 says: (Revised Standard Version) "If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall be put to death; their blood is upon them."

You say, "You have already ignored His directives in His written word." But, unless you are campaigning for gays to be put to death, you are ignoring God's word also.